The standards society sets for women are tenfold higher than what they ask of a man. This prejudice allows strong and brave women to emerge and prove that they can still make an impact on the community without conforming to what society desires them to do.
Raised as an only child in a traditional, disciplinarian family, Dr. Ciedelle Honey Lou Dimalig-Gapasin, a clinical instructor at the Visayas State University College of Nursing (VSU-CON) and a community health nurse in Baybay, City Leyte, has long known the values of hard work, perseverance, and charity.
She has already shown a significant impact on the community through her involvement in various community outreach activities and her religious undertakings as a lector and catechist since she was a child. Her influence extends as she expands her work and becomes a community health nurse, serving particularly marginalized populations.
While being a student nurse and a volunteer for the children's ministry at the same time in the early 2000s, Dr. Ciedelle was in a far-flung area of St. Catalina, Zamboanga City, with the pastoral ministry workers. There was an unexpected armed conflict that occurred, leaving many people wounded. Feeling terrified and unprepared, she still managed to provide assistance and help the members of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) as they responded and attended to those that were affected.
During that time, Dr. Ciedelle was completely unaware of what the principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, volunteering, and universality consisted of. Being put into that degree of conflict has made her ponder how important it is to acknowledge and give more credit to those who carry out humanitarian work and volunteerism.
They extend their help to people regardless of which side they’re on—possibly risking their own lives—all while their own family and neighbors accuse them of helping the enemy. "Often reported in an armed conflict are the people who were helped, the death toll, and the perpetrators of a particular act—but rarely is the act of volunteers recognized," Dr. Ciedelle expressed.
This particular encounter has taught her about the principles of International Humanitarian Law, a set of rules based on the 1994 Fourth Geneva Convention, particularly applied to armed conflicts, seeking to limit and minimize the effects and casualties they bear. Moreover, this endeavor has also shown her the importance of recognizing and acknowledging those volunteers who carry out commendable work silently and embody humanitarianism.
While upholding rectitude as a volunteer, Dr. Ciedelle is also an advocate for the rights of members of the community, particularly those who struggle to execute them. One of the biggest challenges she encountered in her career was advocating for the rights of a child who was a victim of sex trafficking.
When you fight for what is right, many people will tell you not to do so. But the more people tell you not to engage in such a bid, the louder the call to stand for what’s morally right becomes.
"As a Christian, I know my moral obligation, and I claim it in Proverbs 31:8–9: speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy," said Dr. Gapasin.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), women account for 67% of the health and social workforce, providing health services to around 5 billion people worldwide. However, while women make up most of the population of the healthcare industry, the male population leads the field. Women’s significant contribution to the industry is severely undervalued as they tend to be clustered into a lower status.
In the fight to be seen as equally competent as the male counterpart, Dr. Ciedelle stresses the need to believe in one’s self and capabilities. Recognizing that you have something rare to offer gives you the power to be seen as an equal. "If you don’t believe in yourself in a male-dominated field, then it’s going to be nearly impossible to make others believe in you too. Remember and understand that the most important reason you deserve to earn that seat is your unique perspective. Earn that seat with grace."
Being a woman doesn’t make you less of anything; in fact, it makes you more. Regardless of whether or not you conform to the ideals of society, you can still be a woman of impact and influence. You can be a voice for the voiceless, for what gives you leverage is your strength to feel deeply.
Dr. Ciedelle embodies a woman of fortitude, courage, and purpose. She has shown that there are various ways of becoming significant other than trying to fit in the box society has created for women. Women don’t need to follow a set narrative; they can create their own.
To all women out there, remember that your life is your canvas; paint it with confidence and don't let anyone else hold the brush. As Dr. Ciedelle emphasizes, "Women in the battles of life are not alone or unaided."